Potrero Yard Modernization Project - Vibrant and Safe Streets and Sidewalks

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Vibrant Communities

The Project will create an environment that welcomes street-level activity through a mix of:

  • Retail offerings
  • Flexible multipurpose spaces for street vendors
  • Public restrooms
  • Safety enhancements for bicyclists and pedestrians
  • Updated landscaping
  • Public visibility of Muni operations
  • Public art

Illustration showing protected bike lane along 17th Street, and vendors using kiosk spaces along the sidewalk.

Illustration showing protected bike lane along 17th Street, and vendors using kiosk spaces along the sidewalk. On the right, a bus traveling on one of the interior circulation ramps is visible through the glass wall. (Arcadis IBI Group)

PNC and the SFMTA have received community suggestions to support this vision of a vibrant space including types of retail, street vendors, plant species, and art media to integrate into the facility. Much of this feedback has been incorporated into the project plans or is under consideration:

  • Retail offerings that reflect community needs and include community-based retailers or organizations.
  • Opportunities for street vendor spaces to be used for farmer’s markets, art and craft fairs, and other programmed events. 
  • Public art that reflects the diversity of the surrounding neighborhoods while also integrating into the facility architecture through its materials such as glass or mosaic tiles. 
  • Planting palette that lists prospective plant species including some community favorites such as the Golden Medallion, Strawberry, and Princeton Sentry Ginkgo trees.
  • Preserving existing trees when possible, particularly along 17th Street.

Input received from the Friends of Franklin Square resulted in the inclusion of a public restroom at 17th and Bryant streets that can be utilized by park users and is across from the children’s playground at Franklin Square.

Rendering showing SFMTA entrance, public restroom and retail space at corner of 17th St. and Bryant St.

Rendering showing SFMTA entrance, public restroom and retail space at corner of 17th St. and Bryant St. (Arcadis IBI Group)

Have an idea or recommendation for street activation that will benefit the community? Share it with us by email or phone!

Improvements for Cyclists and People Walking

The project supports active transportation adjacent to Franklin Square. Enhanced bike lanes and bike parking for residents will create a safe space for cyclists as part of an existing SF Bike Network along 17th Street. This will create a safer and more convenient space for cyclists and encourage bike riding as a form of transportation and recreation. Other proposed cyclist amenities include: 

  • 37 bike racks for short term parking along the perimeter of the site and more than 300 stalls of long-term bike parking for both residents and SFMTA employees.
  • Protected and widened (Class IV) bike lanes on the north and south sides of 17th Street between Bryant and Hampshire streets with new 2-foot concrete barriers, allowing for safer bike movements. Parking would need to be removed on the north side of the block to accommodate these improvements.
  • Bike lanes are a minimum of five feet wide but typically six feet in most areas. Width varies due to variations in curb width.
  • The existing bus entrance on 17th Street will be removed to minimize bus interactions with pedestrians and bicyclists.

Street diagram of 17th Street between Bryant and Hampshire highlighting protected bike lanes, new crossings, retained trees and vendor kiosk locations

Street diagram of 17th Street between Bryant and Hampshire streets highlighting protected bike lanes, new crossings, retained trees and vendor kiosk locations (Arcadis IBI Group)

Proposed pedestrian enhancements are designed to create vibrant sidewalks through: 

  • A mixture of concrete sidewalks and specialty paving
  • Upgraded curb ramps that meet the American Disability Act (ADA) requirements
  • Upgraded crossings to support pedestrian safety
  • Curb bulb-outs to minimize the crossing width for pedestrians crossing the street
  • Carefully selected and placed outdoor furniture

Rendering of commercial entryway at Bryant and Mariposa streets with bike racks, pedestrians walking, and public benches for seating.

 Rendering of commercial entryway at Bryant and Mariposa streets with bike racks, pedestrians walking, and public benches for seating (Arcadis IBI Group)

Landscaping Plan

The landscaping plan has a mix of trees, including: 

  • Seven existing Nichol’s Willow-Leafed Peppermint trees that are along 17th Street
  • Three tree species identified as the Community favorites during a community survey issued in Spring 2023: Golden Medallion Tree, Strawberry Tree, and the Princeton Sentry Gingko Tree
  • Other trees that moderate water well or are pollinator species will be included, such as: Ray Hartman Ceanothus tree, Little Gem Magnolia tree, and the Jacaranda 

In total 48 trees are planned around the site on the street level.

Community Favorite Tree Species

Photo of Golden Medallion tree

Golden Medallion tree

Photo of Strawberry Tree

Strawberry tree

Photo of Princeton Sentry Ginkgo Tree

Princeton Sentry Ginkgo Tree

Planting Palette

The landscape design also includes a number of shrubs, grasses, and perennials in addition to the trees presented. The planting palette will include a mix of California native, low water use, and pollinators.

photos of shrubs, grasses, perennials and ferns that are included in the planting palette

Examples include:

  • Dwarf variegated mockorange
  • Mound San Bruno Coffeeberry
  • Asian Star Jasmine
  • Fortnight Lily
  • Pardon Me Daylily
  • Western Sword Fern
  • Red yucca
  • Munstead Lavender
  • Canyon Prince Lyme Grass
  • Lomandra
  • And Rhodocoma

To learn more about the proposals for vibrant streets and sidewalks, please review the information boards from our September 2023 Community Open House.